Toms River superintendent urges unity and blames state funding formula for district shortfall

Superintendent Mister Sitta opened the meeting with a moment of silence for two students and then urged the community to "stay educated" and "stay united" as the district pursues remedies to a shortfall it attributes to state funding decisions.

"When you hear pointed accusations that this district and school board are responsible for raising your taxes, I want you to know we did not," Mister Sitta said, denying local responsibility for the tax increase that appeared in public reporting. He told the board the district is pursuing three potential paths to address a projected cash shortfall imposed by the state, including a pending lawsuit and appraisal and possible disposition of non-student assets. "We have a cash flow issue because of the budget that the state imposed of a $12,400,000 loss that dries up our cash flow come April or May," he said, adding the board has taken legal steps and will continue outreach to local stakeholders.

The superintendent framed the funding problem as driven by Trenton and called for broad local support: town councils, mayors and residents. He said the board voted down a budget that included a 9.9% tax hike and that the district has filed suit and pursued appraisals on non-student properties to close the gap. The district signaled it will continue community outreach and pursue legal remedies while urging residents to focus on student opportunities and avoid distractions that, in his view, fracture community support.